Wizards trade Okafor to Suns for Gortat

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeOctober 25, 2013

The Washington Wizards acquired center Marcin Gortat and guards Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall in a trade with the Phoenix Suns that sent center Emeka Okafor and a 2014 protected first round draft pick to the Suns. Both teams announced the trade Friday. With the addition of the top-12 protected pick from the Wizards, Phoenix now potentially owns four first-round selections in the 2014 NBA Draft: the Suns' own pick, Indiana's pick (top-14 protected) and Minnesota's pick (top-13 protected), in addition to the pick acquired from Washington. Okafor is out indefinitely with a herniated disc in his neck. He averaged 9.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 79 games, including 77 starts, in his only season with the Wizards. "We are excited to add another first-round pick in what is shaping up to be the best draft in a decade," said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. "We now have a chance to make four first-round selections in 2014. Emeka Okafor is a solid veteran center who will help solidify our front line when and if he is able to return from injury." The 6-foot-11 Gortat is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $7.7 million this season. The Suns have been looking to deal Gortat, who has limited to 61 games last season while battling a foot injury. He averaged 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in 2012-13. "We have solidified our frontcourt by adding a player who has established himself as a very consistent and productive inside presence over the last three seasons," said Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld. "Marcin's ability to rebound, defend and score will allow us to continue where we left off last season and pushes us further toward our goal of becoming a playoff team." Brown has averaged 10.2 points for Suns last season, when he played in 59 games, including 22 starts. Marshall averaged 3.0 pointsd as a rookie for Phoenix last season, and Lee averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 35 career games with Minnesota before being traded to Phoenix last summer.